Mondula positions itself as a bridge-builder for packaging innovation

Mondula was founded on the observation that packaging innovation often stalls before it reaches the market. Karin Paldanius, general manager at Mondula, who has worked across coatings, packaging and manufacturing, said the idea came from seeing promising technologies struggle to scale. 

“Too often, suppliers launch new products that never reach converters in time, or brand owners set requirements that converters cannot meet. By creating a platform that brings all parties together, we reduce the risk of innovation getting stuck,” Paldanius explained.

Paldanius framed Mondula’s mission in simple terms. “We want to help brand owners find the right packaging partners and help converters find the right technologies. Our role is to be a bridge-builder, connecting innovation with need,” she said. 

Mondula does not manufacture its products directly but works with selected suppliers, always disclosing partners and positioning itself as a cooperation enabler.

India’s openness to new ideas

India has always been one of the Mondula priorities, because of both its scale and its appetite for experimentation. Paldanius argued that Indian converters are often more open than their counterparts in other countries. “In India, there is an openness to new ideas, and in some cases, brand owners are ahead of the curve in seeking packaging differentiation. That makes the country a natural fit for our work,” she said. 

Tomas Pivko, sales director at Mondula, added that Indian converters are willing to invest, adapt and adopt. “The scale is enormous, but at the same time, the market is highly fragmented. That combination makes it both challenging and exciting,” he said. Mondula’s vision is not just to bring European solutions into India, but also to carry Indian innovations back into Europe, Africa and Asia. “We want to build a two-way bridge —into India and out of India,” Pivko explained. 

The company works closely with carefully chosen partners of trust. Paldanius gave the example of San Printech Private Limited in India, and said, that Mondula has developed a warehouse model to make innovations accessible to smaller converters. “Not every converter can order a full container,” Paldanius said. “With warehousing and vendor-managed inventory, we can make smaller quantities available locally. If a customer needs something urgently, we can move it fast. The goal is to make innovation practical and accessible.”

With the recent addition of Mondula International, Mondula has strongly entered the African and Asian markets, serving customers from its main warehousing hub in Johannesburg. A partner warehousing facility in the UAE also supports its customers needs in the GCC region. 

Logistics are often the decisive factor in adoption. Paldanius noted that a solution that appears perfect in Europe may be unviable in India if costs rise due to transportation and duties. “We have to ask: how can we scale it, how can we adapt it, and how can we make it affordable without losing its impact?” she said. By identifying local production partners where possible, Mondula aims to cut these barriers and speed adoption. 

Regulation and compliance 

Regulation also plays a role. With Europe’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation introducing strict new standards, brand owners are beginning to push converters in other regions to align. Paldanius believes this gives Indian converters a chance to move early. “We think Indian converters can leapfrog by adopting solutions before legislation forces the issue. That is why awareness and visibility are so important,” she said. 

The company has so far not patent technologies itself, only protecting its own name. Suppliers remain visible and credited, which Mondula sees as part of its role in building trust. 

Both founders emphasised that affordability is the final test of any innovation. Paldanius was frank. “A solution that looks perfect in Europe may not be viable in India if the cost is too high.” Pivko echoed the point, saying that affordability is not about being cheap, but about scale. “If you can make it work at the right scale, affordability follows. That is where we see our role, helping to connect the right solutions with the right opportunities,” he said.

Creating impact through collaboration 

Mondula’s insistence on collaboration runs through every part of its model. Pivko stressed, “We are not a competitor to converters or material suppliers. We are a connector. If we do our job well, we help everyone move faster.” 

Paldanius added that innovation cannot simply be dropped into a market. “It is about creating impact together. We cannot just throw new materials into the market and expect adoption. It takes time, dialogue and collaboration. That is what Mondula wants to enable,” she explained. 

Looking ahead 

Mondula’s immediate goal is to expand its presence in India and the other key markets, while also strengthening partnerships with suppliers worldwide. Paldanius said the company’s Swiss roots gave it a unique position to link European innovation with fast-growing markets, but the vision has always been global. 

“We started with the idea of building bridges, and that remains our mission. The industry is full of innovation, but too much of it gets lost. If we can bring more of it to market, we will have made a difference,” she said.

Pivko concluded, “Our role is to make innovation practical. If converters, suppliers and brand owners can connect more effectively, the whole industry benefits. That is the future we want to build.”